Steve Coppell has given his front men a massive vote of confidence to succeed in the Premiership by insisting he is not looking to bolster his strikeforce.

However, Royals’ boss revealed he is looking to bring in as many as three new defenders before the season kicks off on August 19.

Royals were the league’s top scorers during their record-breaking title campaign, scoring a staggering 99 league goals.

Dave Kitson was top scorer with 22 goals, Kevin Doyle grabbed 19, Leroy Lita hit 15 despite missing the end of the season and youngster Shane Long grabbed four from a handful of appearances.

And Coppell says he is more than happy for them to battle it out amongst themselves for starting places in the top flight.

But strengthening the defence remains a priority as Reading have only two senior recognised centre-backs in Ivar Ingimarsson and Ibrahima Sonko.

Top target Joleon Lescott snubbed a move in favour of a switch to Everton, but Rennes’ John Mensah, Preston’s Claude Davis and Charlton’s Chris Perry have all been considered. Wolves’s midfielder Seoul Hi-Kyeon is also on the wishlist.

Coppell, though, denied any interest in Standard Liege’s United States international defender Oguchi Onyewu.

He told the Evening Post: “I don’t want a striker. I have got four and between them I think they can do a job.

“That will give them until after Christmas when the transfer window opens to show what they can do.

“I like to have tight numbers, but I am well aware I need a bigger squad. Last year we hardly had an injury defensively, but that might not happen again.

“I know I need to strengthen in that area with three Premiership-quality players. I went on holiday early because I was hoping to come back and get the transfer business done, but realistically it’s not going to happen like that.

“We have missed out on a couple, but we have been unfortunate.”

Coppell maintained he will not break the bank to make a new signing.

“I would have loved to have gone out and got Andriy Shevchenko, but I understand we missed out to Chelsea for him,” he joked. “In all seriousness, I am not going to get someone in who doesn’t fit with the wage structure here. That’s the mentality any players have to have and I don’t make any excuses for that. They have to want to play for Reading.

“I don’t want any prima donnas. We didn’t have any last year and we have to follow that pattern this season.”

Coppell has described reports of Royals’ interest in Manchester City keeper David James and Arsenal centre-back Sol Campbell as “ridiculous”.

He also denied interest in Aston Villa’s Lee Hendrie. It has been reported Villa would like to do a swap deal for Steve Sidwell, but Royals are desperate to keep their midfield ace.